Illustrating tool

ABSTRACT

A finger brush, which is an illustrating tool, includes a brush tip portion for illustrating and a main body portion. The main body portion is in a hollow elongated shape having one end supporting the brush tip portion and the other end receiving a finger inserted therein. In the main body portion, a slit extending in the axial direction of the main body portion and reaching the other end is formed. The main body portion has a tapered portion having a cross-sectional area getting smaller toward the other end in the axial direction of the main body portion. A finger inserted into the main body portion forces the tapered portion to spread out, causing the finger to be secured inside the main body portion. Such a configuration can provide an illustrating tool which is worn on a finger and can provide a good sense of wearing without compromising a sense of unity with a finger.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to an illustrating tool for illustrating, and more specifically to a brush used in a finger-worn mode of use and for calligraphy, painting, colouring, making up, and the like.

2. Description of the Background Art

For example, Japanese Utility Model Laying-Open No. 64-17783 (Patent Document 1) discloses a finger brush in which a brush tip of the brush can be directly fitted onto a human fingertip. The finger brush disclosed in Patent Document 1 has a shaft portion in a hollow elongated shape having an inner diameter allowing a fit onto a fingertip.

Further, Japanese Utility Model Laying-Open No. 62-166078 (Patent Document 2) discloses a fingertip brush fitted onto a fingertip for writing a character or painting. The fingertip brush disclosed in Patent Document 2 is formed of a brush tip cylinder into which a brash tip of the brash is fitted and a fingertip cylinder to which the brush tip cylinder is connected.

Further, Japanese Utility Model No. 3124680 (Patent Document 3) discloses a finger-wearable writing instrument which allows for writing without holding the writing instrument with three fingers in writing, does not require taking a hand off the writing instrument for simultaneously carrying out a light work, and enables one having difficulty in writing due to, for example, a hand and finger disability, to write. Further, Japanese Patent Layling-Open application No. 59-29199 (Patent Document 4) discloses a finger writing instrument characterized by being attachable to and detachable from a finger to draw a character and the like by a fingertip.

Further, Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2008-273030 (Patent Document 5) discloses a brush with an object of ready use and easy handling. The brush disclosed in Patent Document 5 has an attachment portion in a hollow elongated shape into which a finger is inserted and a brush tip portion to be connected to the attachment portion and arranged further forward than the finger inserted into the attachment portion.

In recent years, in the fields of early childhood education and rehabilitation, there is a need for an illustrating tool which can be readily handled for calligraphy, painting, colouring, and the like. An example of such an illustrating tool may be a brush having a brush tip formed of animal hair, nylon hair or a sponge. With a brush, however, a writer is required of a delicate touch, because the strength of a brush stroke directly manifests itself as the thickness of a line and the style of handwriting. For this reason, a brush is more difficult to handle than a pencil, a ballpoint pen and the like, which is a background to the brush.

Meanwhile, the above-described Patent Documents 1-5 disclose a variety of brushes which is used in a manner in which a finger is fitted into a hollow elongated shaft portion. In a brush with such a configuration, however, if a sense of unity between the finger and the brush cannot be achieved, then a writer cannot handle the brush as he or she desires. Further, when the fit of the finger to the shaft portion is tightened to achieve a sufficient sense of unity, a blood flow in the finger can be interrupted, causing a pain to the writer.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to solve the above-described problems and to provide an illustrating tool which is worn on a finger and can provide a good sense of wearing, without compromising a sense of unity with a finger.

An illustrating tool according to the present invention includes an illustrating portion for illustrating and a main body portion. The main body portion is in a hollow elongated shape having one end supporting the illustrating portion and the other end receiving a finger inserted therein. Formed in the main body portion is a slit extending in the axial direction of the main body portion and reaching to the other end. The main body portion has a tapered portion having a cross-sectional area getting smaller toward the other end in the axial direction of the main body portion. A finger inserted into the main body portion forces the tapered portion to spread out, causing the finger to be secured inside the main body portion.

According to the illustrating tool configured in this way, the finger inserted in the main body portion is held by the tapered portion at one point on the other end side. This can achieve a good sense of wearing, while providing a moderate sense of fit which does not compromise a sense of unity with the finger.

Further, preferably, the main body portion further has a reverse-tapered portion. The reverse-tapered portion is connected to the tapered portion and has a cross-sectional area getting smaller toward the one end. At a position where the tapered portion and the reverse-tapered portion are adjacent to each other, the main body portion has a largest cross-sectional area. According to the illustrating tool configured in this way, at a position where the main body portion has a largest cross-sectional area, the last joint of a finger, which has a wide width, can be positioned. This can reduce compression of the last joint of a finger inside the main body portion and achieve a superior sense of wearing.

Further, preferably, the illustrating tool further includes a cap portion provided to be attachable to and detachable from the main body portion and covering the illustrating portion. The cap portion is provided such that the cap portion removed from the main body portion can be inserted into the main body portion. According to the illustrating tool configured in this way, a mode of use in which the cap portion inserted in the main body portion is grasped to handle the illustrating tool can be employed, other than a mode of use in which a finger is inserted in the main body portion.

As described above, according to the present invention, an illustrating tool which is worn on a finger and can provide a good sense of wearing without compromising a sense of unity with the finger, can be provided.

The foregoing and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the present invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a mode of use of a finger brush in a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows a main body portion constituting the brush in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 shows a holder portion constituting the finger brush in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view showing the finger brush in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a mode of use of a finger brush in a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view showing a finger brush with a cap portion in FIG. 5 fitted thereon.

FIG. 7 is a side view showing a process of removing a holder portion from the finger brush in FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing another mode of use of the finger brush in FIG. 5.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings referred to below, the same or corresponding elements have the same numbers allotted.

First Embodiment

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a mode of use of a finger brush in the first embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 1, first, the basic structure of a finger brush 10 in the present embodiment will be described. Finger brush 10 to serve as an illustrating tool includes a brush tip portion 11 for illustrating to serve as an illustrating portion and a main body portion 21. Main body portion 21 is in a hollow elongated shape having one end 21 m supporting brush tip portion 11 and the other end 21 n receiving a finger inserted therein. Formed in main body portion 21 is a slit 23 extending in the axial direction of the main body portion and reaching the other end 21 n. Main body portion 21 has a tapered portion 27 having a cross-sectional area getting smaller toward the other end 21 n in the axial direction of the main body portion. A finger inserted into main body portion 21 forces tapered portion 27 to spread out, causing the finger to be secured inside main body portion 21.

Next, the structure of finger brush 10 in the present embodiment will be described in detail. Finger brush 10 is a writing brush for calligraphy or a painting brush used for painting and colouring. Finger brush 10 is used in writing a character, painting and colouring, with China ink or ink. It is noted that the brush in the present invention may be a makeup brush which is used for makeup.

Brush tip portion 11 is a portion which is impregnated with a liquid such as China ink or ink. Brush tip portion 11 is formed by binding animal hair or nylon hair together. In the present embodiment, a base portion (neck) of brush tip portion 11 is hardened with an adhesive. Further, brush tip portion 11 is not limited to have the shape shown in FIG. 1 and may be a flat brush tip or a wide-flat brush tip, for example.

It is noted that in the present invention, the illustrating portion for illustrating is not limited to a brush tip portion formed of animal hair or nylon hair. For example, the illustrating portion may be a sponge portion capable of absorbing a liquid such as China ink and ink. When the illustrating portion is formed of brush tip portion 11 or the sponge portion, a common point is that a brush tip has flexibility. Further, the illustrating portion may be a hard pen tip, pencil lead, or the like.

Finger brush 10 further has a holder portion 31. Into the other end 21 n of main body portion 21, a writer's finger is inserted. To one end 21 m of main body portion 21, brush tip portion 11 is connected via holder portion 31. Brush tip portion 11 is arranged on an extension line of the finger inserted into main body portion 21.

It is noted that although, in the present embodiment, a writer's index finger is inserted in main body portion 21, a finger other than an index finger may be inserted. Further, although, in the present embodiment, finger brush 10 is configured such that brush tip portion 11 and a finger inserted in main body portion 21 are aligned in a straight line, brush tip portion 11 may be inclined relative to a finger inserted into main body portion 21.

FIG. 2 shows the main body portion constituting the brush in FIG. 1. Referring to FIG. 2, main body portion 21 has a hollow cylindrical shape in which a direction connecting one end 21 m and the other end 21 n is the axial direction. Formed in main body portion 21 are a finger insertion hole 22 and a holder attachment hole 24. Finger insertion hole 22 and holder attachment hole 24 are formed on the other end 21 n side and one end 21 m side, respectively. Finger insertion hole 22 and holder attachment hole 24 are formed to communicate with each other and to extend through main body portion 21 in the axial direction of main body portion 21. Main body portion 21 is formed of a member with elasticity, for example, an elastomer.

It is noted that the form of formed finger insertion hole 22 and holder attachment hole 24 is not limited to a through hole, and may be a form in which finger insertion hole 22 and holder attachment hole 24 do not communicate with each other.

In main body portion 21, a plurality of slits 23 are formed. Slits 23 are formed to extend in the axial direction of main body portion 21 and to reach the other end 21 n of main body portion 21. Slits 23 are formed to extend, in the axial direction of main body portion 21, from the other end 21 n on a finger insertion side, to a position inside one end 21 m on a brush-tip-portion-11-supporting side. A plurality of slits 23 are formed at respective positions spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction of main body portion 21. Because of a plurality of slits 23, main body portion 21 is formed to be radially elastically deformable.

It is noted that although the number of slits 23 to be formed is not limited to a particular number, preferably, a plurality of slits 23 are formed. In finger brush 10 in the present embodiment, six slits 23 are formed.

Main body portion 21 has tapered portion 27. Tapered portion 27 is formed such that the cross-sectional area taken along a plane orthogonal to the axial direction of the main body portion and cutting main body portion 21 (cross-sectional area in an assumption that no slit 23 is formed) gets smaller toward the other end 21 n in the axial direction of main body portion 21. That is, tapered portion 27 is formed such that finger insertion hole 22 gets radially narrower toward the other end 21 n in the axial direction of main body portion 21. Slits 23 are formed in the axial direction of main body portion 21 across the length of tapered portion 27.

Main body portion 21 further has a reverse-tapered portion 28. Reverse-tapered portion 28 is formed such that the cross-sectional area taken along a plane orthogonal to the axial direction of the main body portion and cutting main body portion 21 gets smaller toward one end 21 m in the axial direction of main body portion 21. That is, reverse-tapered portion 28 is formed such that finger insertion hole 22 gets radially narrower toward one end 21 m in the axial direction of main body portion 21. Reverse-tapered portion 28 is formed such that the inner circumferential surface of finger insertion hole 22 gets more radially constricted in a curve toward one end 21 m.

Tapered portion 27 and reverse-tapered portion 28 are provided in series in the axial direction of main body portion 21. Provided at a position where tapered portion 27 and reverse-tapered portion 28 are adjacent to each other, is a radially expanded portion 29 at which finger insertion hole 22 has its largest diameter. Radially expanded portion 29 is provided at approximately the middle of the length of finger insertion hole 22 in the axial direction of main body portion 21.

In the present embodiment, main body portion 21 is formed to have an approximately uniform thickness in the axial direction thereof. This results in that main body portion 21 has, seen from the outside, a contour which gradually expands radially from the other end 21 n toward radially expanded portion 29 and gradually constricts radially from radially expanded portion 29 toward one end 21 m.

Main body portion 21 has an engaging portion 26. Engaging portion 26 is formed to protrude radially inwardly from the inner circumferential surface of holder attachment hole 24. In engaging portion 26, a groove 25 is formed. Groove 25 is formed to extend at a predetermined circumferential phase position on main body portion 21, in the axial direction of main body portion 21. In the present embodiment, two grooves 25 are formed at phase positions which are offset by 180° from each other, respectively.

FIG. 3 shows the holder portion constituting the finger brush in FIG. 1. With reference to FIG. 3, holder portion 31 is formed of a resin such as polypropylene. Holder portion 31 is formed of a combination of a brush tip insertion portion 35 and a main-body connection portion 39.

Brush tip insertion portion 35 is in a hollow elongated shape which has a bottom and in which a brush tip portion insertion hole 38 is formed. Main-body connection portion 39 is in a solid cylindrical shape which can be inserted into holder attachment hole 24 formed in main body portion 21 in FIG. 2. Brush tip insertion portion 35 and main-body connection portion 39 are formed axially in series so that the central axis of brush tip portion insertion hole 38 and the central axis of main-body connection portion 39 can coincide with each other.

Main-body connection portion 39 has an engaging portion 33. Engaging portion 33 is formed to protrude radially outwardly from the outer circumferential surface of main-body connection portion 39. Engaging portion 33 is formed at a position corresponding to groove 25 formed in main body portion 21 in FIG. 2. Engaging portion 33 is in a shape which can be inserted into groove 25 when holder portion 31 is inserted into holder attachment hole 24.

On holder portion 31, an annular groove 36 and an engaging portion 37 are formed. Annular groove 36 is formed to circumferentially extend at a position between brush tip insertion portion 35 and main-body connection portion 39. Engaging portion 37 is formed to radially outwardly protrude from the bottom of annular groove 36. Engaging portion 37 is formed at a predetermined phase position in a circumferential direction in which annular groove 36 extends. In the present embodiment, four engaging portions 37 are formed, each at a phase position at every 90°.

In holder portion 31, a hole 34 is formed. Hole 34 extends in the axial direction of holder portion 31. Hole 34 is formed to extend through main-body connection portion 39 and to communicate with brush tip portion insertion hole 38.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the finger brush in FIG. 1. Referring to FIGS. 2 to 4, brush tip portion 11 is inserted into brush tip portion insertion hole 38 of holder portion 31. Into hole 34, a pin member 41 is inserted. Brush tip portion 11 is secured to holder portion 31 because of a form in which the pin end of pin member 41 is stuck into the base portion of brush tip portion 11. It is noted that when brush tip portion 11 has a relatively short length, a structure in which pin member 41 is stuck into the base portion of brush tip portion 11 also exerts an effect of putting the brush tip of brush tip portion together.

Holder portion 31 is connected to main body portion 21 in a form inserted from one end 21 m side into holder attachment hole 24. Holder portion 31 is secured to main body portion 21 by an engaging structure of engaging portion 33 in relation to engaging portion 26.

When holder portion 31 is to be connected to main body portion 21, engaging portion 33 is aligned with groove 25 while holder portion 31 is inserted into holder attachment hole 24. Once holder portion 31 is inserted up to a position where engaging portion 33 comes out of groove 25, holder portion 31 is circumferentially rotated. This causes engaging portion 33 to engage with engaging portion 26. Contrary, when holder portion 31 is to be removed from main body portion 21, holder portion 31 should be pulled out of holder attachment hole 24 after holder portion 31 is rotated to align engaging portion 33 with groove 25. Because of such a configuration, holder portion 31 is provided to be attachable to and detachable from main body portion 21.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 4, in finger brush 10 in the present embodiment, upon insertion of a writer's finger from the other end 21 n side into main body portion 21, main body portion 21 is elastically deformed in such a manner that tapered portion 27 is forced to spread radially outwardly.

Under these circumstances, since main body portion 21 is radially deformable because of slits 23 formed therein, the finger can be smoothly inserted. Due to its own elastic force, tapered portion 27 tends to restore its original shape against a radially outward deformation. Consequently, tapered portion 27 secures the finger inside main body portion 21. In the mode of use shown in FIG. 1, the tip end of finger abuts on holder portion 31, and the vicinity of the second joint of the finger between the last joint and the second joint is held by radially constricting tapered portion 27. Further, the vicinity of the last joint of the finger is positioned at radially expanding portion 29.

According to finger brush 10 configured in this way in the first embodiment of the present invention, finger brush 10 is used with a finger being inserted into main body portion 21. This allows for ready use of finger brush 10, for example, even when young children study calligraphy and painting and when the elderly work on rehabilitation to restore their sense of fingers.

When wearing finger brush 10, since a finger is held at one point on the other end 21 n side, it never happens that the entire finger is compressed inside main body portion 21. Further, since the vicinity of the last joint of a finger, which has a wide width, is positioned at radially expanding portion 29, compression of the vicinity of the last joint inside main body portion 21 can be effectively reduced. Therefore, the finger never feels pain even when finger brush 10 is used for a long time. On the other hand, since the finger has an end tip side abutting on main-body connection portion 39 and a base side held by tapered portion 27, both axial ends of main body portion 21 are supported by the finger. This can achieve a good sense of wearing, while providing a moderate sense of fit which does not compromise a sense of unity between the finger and brush tip portion 11.

Further, in finger brush 10 in the present embodiment, to hold a finger, the elastic deformation of main body portion 21 having a plurality of slits 23 formed therein is utilized. This allows for easy adaptation to the use by a plurality of persons with different finger sizes. For example, it is only necessary to prepare two types of main body portions 21, for general men and for women or young children.

Further, finger brush 10 of the present embodiment has holder portion 31 which is attachable to and detachable from main body portion 21. Such a configuration allows for a change of brush tip portion 11 in use with another brush tip portion 11 of different brush tip type and/or size, by preparing a plurality of holder portions 31 in advance. This can widen the range of intended use of finger brush 10.

It is noted that regarding the finger brush 10 in the present embodiment, description is made on a structure in which brush tip portion 11 is connected to main body portion 21 via holder portion 31, however, such a structure is not limiting and a structure directly connecting brush tip portion 11 to main body portion 21 may be employed.

Second Embodiment

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a mode of use of a finger brush in the second embodiment of the present invention. The finger brush in the present embodiment basically includes the same structure as compared with finger brush 10 in the first embodiment. The description of common structure will not be repeated hereinafter.

Referring to FIG. 5, a finger brush 60 in the present embodiment further has a cap portion 61, in addition to the structure of finger brush 10 in the first embodiment.

Cap portion 61 has a cap shape capable of covering brush tip portion 11. In the present embodiment, cap portion 61 is formed of split bodies 62 and 63 split on the outer circumference of brush tip portion 11 in the circumferential direction of the cap portion. Split bodies 62 and 63 are pivotably coupled to each other and pivoted to a position at which the split bodies overlap each other, thereby taking a form covering brush tip portion 11. In cap portion 61, a vent 64 is formed. Vent 64 allows for communication between the inner space and the outer space of cap portion 61 accommodating brush tip portion 11 after use.

Cap portion 61 has a protruding portion 68. Protruding portion 68 is formed to protrude from the inner circumferential surface of cap portion 61 in the radially inward direction thereof. In cap portion 61, a groove 66 is formed. A groove 66 is formed to be recessed from the inner circumferential surface of protruding portion 68. Groove 66 is formed at a position corresponding to engaging portion 37 formed on holder portion 31 in FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view showing a finger brush with the cap portion in FIG. 5 fitted thereon. FIG. 7 is a side view showing a process of removing the holder portion from the finger brush in FIG. 6.

Referring to FIG. 6, cap portion 61 is secured to holder portion 31 such that protruding portion 68 fits in annular groove 36 and engaging portion 37 fits in groove 66. Holder portion 31 and cap portion 61 are secured in an integrated manner, in a direction in which holder portion 31 is operated upon removal of holder portion 31 from main body portion 21, i.e., in the circumferential direction of holder portion 31, by a fit structure between engaging portion 37 and groove 66.

Referring to FIG. 7, in the present embodiment, when holder portion 31 is to be removed from main body portion 21, after holder portion 31 is circumferentially rotated together with cap portion 61 and engaging portion 33 is aligned with groove 25, the holder portion is pulled out of holder attachment hole 24. This enables an operator to change holder portion 31 without touching brush tip portion 11 by virtue of cap portion 61, and therefore, workability in changing holder portion 31 can be improved.

For finger brush 60 with such a configuration, a plurality of cap portions 61 may be prepared in accordance with the number of holder portions 31. This also allows holder portion 31 and cap portion 61 to be treated as a set even when a plurality of holder portions 31 are prepared, and, for example, brush tip portion 11 to be stored being covered with cap portion 61.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing another mode of use of the finger brush in FIG. 5. Referring to FIG. 8, in finger brush 60 of the present embodiment, cap portion 61 is provided such that the cap portion removed from holder portion 31 can be inserted into main body portion 21. More specifically, cap portion 61 has a shape which can be inserted into the interior of finger insertion hole 22 while forcing tapered portion 27 to spread out. Cap portion 61 has, in a state inserted into the interior of finger insertion hole 22, a shape having the rear end of the cap portion protruding from the other end 21 n.

This allows a writer to grasp cap portion 61 to handle finger brush 60, other than a mode of use in a finger-inserted manner. Under these circumstances, since main body portion 21 into which cap portion 61 is inserted has a larger diameter as compared with a common brush, even a young child, for example, can easily grasp main body portion 21. As a result, a wider mode of use of a brush can be achieved and more people can become familiar with calligraphy.

According to finger brush 60 configured in this way in the second embodiment of the present invention, the effect as described in the first embodiment can be obtained in the same manner.

The present invention is primarily used for calligraphy, painting, colouring, and makeup, and utilized for a finger brush worn on a finger.

The embodiments disclosed herein are by way of illustration in all respects and not to be taken by way of limitation. The scope of the present invention is shown by the claims rather than the above-indicated description and includes all modifications equivalent in meaning and scope to the claims. 

1. An illustrating tool comprising: an illustrating portion for illustrating; and a main body portion in a hollow elongated shape having one end supporting said illustrating portion and another end receiving a finger inserted therein, a slit being formed in said main body portion, extending in an axial direction of said main body portion, and reaching said other end, said main body portion having a tapered portion having a cross-sectional area getting smaller toward said other end in an axial direction of said main body portion, and a finger inserted in said main body portion forcing said tapered portion to spread out, causing the finger to be secured inside said main body portion.
 2. The illustrating tool according to claim 1, wherein said main body portion further has a reverse-tapered portion connected to said tapered portion and having a cross-sectional area getting smaller toward said one end, and said main body portion has a largest cross-sectional area at a position where said tapered portion and said reverse-tapered portion are adjacent to each other.
 3. The illustrating tool according to claim 1, further comprising a cap portion provided to be attachable to and detachable from said main body portion and covering said illustrating portion, wherein said cap portion is provided such that said cap portion removed from said main body portion can be inserted into said main body portion. 